OH Leuven vs Gent Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Belgian Pro League
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THE FACTS
When is OH Leuven vs Gent on and what time does it start? OH Leuven vs Gent will take place on Sunday 17th September, 2023 – 17:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for OH Leuven vs Gent? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
Where can I watch OH Leuven vs Gent in the UK? OH Leuven vs Gent will not be televised live and cannot be streamed in the UK
THE LOWDOWN
OH LEUVEN
Owned by King Power, who also control Leicester City, Oud-Heverlee Leuven have had to put up with similar financial constraints since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. OH Leuven are still managed by Marc Brys as they consistently perform relatively well and finish in the middle-of-the-table, as they did last season.
It has been a very difficult start to the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League campaign, though, with OH Leuven managing just one victory in their opening six matches so far this season. That win came in their most recent outing before the international break, defeating a struggling Kortrijk side by three goals to nil. They sit just outside of the bottom four ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
GENT
Hein Vanhaezebrouck led Gent to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, losing to eventual tournament winners West Ham United. Gent took their eye off the ball in the Jupiler Pro League during that run and eventually missed out on a top four finish and the end of season championship round on the final day of the regular season.
They have retained the impressive attacking services of duo Hugo Cuypers and Gift Orban, and they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting at the top-of-the-table. They have won four and drawn one of their opening five games, sitting above Anderlecht on goal difference with a game-in-hand. Their 11 matches across all competitions so far this season have consisted of 43 goals with both teams scoring on eight occasions.
THE TEAM NEWS
OH LEUVEN
Marc Brys is still sweating over the fitness of two players. One of those players being key attacker, Nathan Opoku on loan from Leicester, as well as Alexandru Calut.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Prevot; Schingtienne, Pletinckx, Ricca; Sagrado, Dom, Schrijvers, Mendyl; Maziz, Brunes, Kiyine
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE: Opoku (Injured), Calut (Injured)
GENT
Gent have more or less a fully fit and available squad and they will be expected to name as close to their strongest possible eleven as is possible this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Nardi; Watanabe, Torunarigha, Fortuna; Hjulsager, Kums, Hong, De Sart, Brown; Orban, Cuypers
UNAVAILABLE: Fadiga (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Depoitre (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Oud-Heverlee Leuven will be concerned that, as mentioned, they have a similar fate with Leicester City and eventually fall through the trap door this season. Without Nathan Opoku being fully fit, it is difficult to see where their cutting edge is coming from. Gent, on the other hand, need not worry about their cutting edge as they boast, arguably, the best attack in the division. The visitors will be confident of out scoring any opposition, especially a team such as OH Leuven.
TIP: GENT TO WIN
